GoDaddy versus Verisign [SSL Certificates]

With the online holiday shopping season fast approaching, SSL certificates
(which provide server to browser encryption, the padlock icon and the familiar
https prefix to secure a website) are the focus of many merchants. So where are merchants turning for their SSL certificate needs these days? By the looks of it, they are
going to GoDaddy.

In its Netcraft LTD Secure Server Survey for November 2009, the analyst
firm announced that GoDaddy's overall SSL market share has grown four times
faster than VeriSign's during the past year. NetCraft projected that GoDaddy
would pass long-time market leader VeriSign in less than 18 months. GoDaddy
apparently does not want to wait that long and is now offering its EV SSL
Certificate for $99. Obtaining a relatively identical security level at VeriSign
would cost more than $1400.

“The reason for our growth is simple - our customers are smart enough to
know they can get a world-class SSL Cert without having to pay through the
roof,” said GoDaddy CEO and Founder Bob Parsons. “You could purchase 14 GoDaddy Certificates for the same price as a single VeriSign Cert, not to mention
the great support our customers enjoy.”

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3 comments

It's about time. Verisign is way over-priced. They're selling brand and perception. That's fine... for those who are willing to pay for brand and perception. Personally, I like to save clients money and enjoy a better bottom line.

That said, I have not tried GoDaddy's certificates just yet. Nor have I used Verisign.

I have been using godaddy for some time now and they have great customer service for their webhosting, so if that contunues on through their SSL's that will be great. Allows us to give our clients the same security for a better price. It will be interesting to see how Verisign reacts to this.

I like how GoDaddy is diversifying its business, from not only offering dedicated servers to also selling SSL certificates. I am amazed at how they can offer similar level security protection at a fraction of the price that Verisign is offering. How can new online businesses ignore that? If I were a startup, I would definitely choose goDaddy.